Feb 26, 2018

Greetings from Richmond: Week 7

This past week was busy as the House of Delegates and Senate both passed their respective budgets bills. I am excited to share some highlights of the budget bill that passed the House of Delegates.

Thank you to everyone that has reached out to my office and connected via email, phone calls, and office visits to inform me about the issues that are important to you. Please continue to let me know if you have any questions or concerns about legislative matters or need assistance with a state agency. You can email me at DelKTran@house.virginia.gov or call me at 804-698-1042.

2018-2020 Biennial Budget

I am proud to have voted in favor of the House biennial budget bills. This balanced budget reflects the values of voters who turned out in large numbers this past election and was passed on a 68-32 bipartisan vote.  

This budget expands access to healthcare, strengthens public education, and enhances funding for the social safety net. You can view the full biennial budget and all budget amendments here. Since the budgets approved by the House of Delegates and Senate differ, a conference committee will be formed to reach a compromise. I am hopeful that the final budget bill will include Medicaid expansion.

BELOW ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HOUSE BUDGET BILLS, HB 29 AND HB 30:

HEALTH CARE 

The approved House budget bills include Medicaid expansion, which means nearly 400,000 Virginians will be able to access affordable healthcare. This would not have been possible without many of my colleagues in the House of Delegates who have been fighting for Medicaid expansion for many years. We also included additional waiver slots and mental health funding.

EDUCATION

 The approved House budget includes salary increase to teachers and university employees. Our budget also increases the amount of lottery funds that will go to local school districts. To make college more affordable, our budget includes increasing Tuition Assistance Grants (TAG) awards and other forms of need-based financial aid. We also have passed funding for the creation of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, known as CyberX, for research and training in the cybersecurity field. I am proud to have voted in favor of a budget that increases funding to strengthen public education in our Commonwealth.

SOCIAL SERVICES 

Our budget also enhances funding for our social safety net. The House voted in support of additional Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds being used for Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives. We also allocated additional TANF funds to be granted to nonprofits and local governments to meet the various needs of our communities. 

Rally for Medicaid Expansion

My family joined me in Richmond last Monday, and we attended a rally for Medicaid expansion at Capitol Square. I have met with many constituents who have voiced support for expanding Medicaid and shared their personal stories about how expanding access to healthcare would make a difference in their lives.

I am committed to fighting for increased access to affordable healthcare for hard-working Virginians. That is why I voted, along with Democrat and Republican colleagues, in favor of the House budget bill that included Medicaid expansion.

Celebrating President George Washington’s Birthday